How well does Canada’s new electoral framework safeguard elections? CSDI Assistant Director @cjten.bsky.social discusses the strengths and limitations of Bill C-25 in The Hill Times, and the big challenge of boosting citizen engagement with high-quality information. www.hilltimes.com/2026/07/20/b...

Bill C-25 a ‘security patch,’ but more could be done to preserve electoral confidence, say experts - The Hill Times

Bill C-25 clarifies or expands some of the existing prohibitions already in the Canada Elections Act, including certain types of false claims with the intent to undermine elections, according to polit...

hilltimes.com

UBC Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions@ubcdemocracy.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Canada’s election laws may soon get a much-needed security patch, in the form of Bill C-25. But @cjten.bsky.social told a House of Commons committee this week that a major upgrade to our democratic operating system will still be needed. tinyurl.com/952mdu2y

Check out this new article by recent UBC graduate Marie Erikson on how to ensure chatbots inform rather than manipulate voters who turn to AI for election advice:

Chatbot Voting Advice Could Help and Harm Voters. Let’s Regulate Accordingly.

Popular generative AI chatbots will provide voting advice to users who ask. Marie Erikson explores the challenges and opportunities this presents.

techpolicy.press

Canada's Conservative Party released a political ad using AI-generated footage, one of the first times a federal party in Canada has used this technique. 📰 Reporting via CBC News (Jenna Olsen) #PoliticalCommunication #DigitalDemocracy

What are CSDI's Director @heiditworek.bsky.social and Assistant Director @cjten.bsky.social saying about Canada's new AI strategy? Read more about  what this strategy could mean in articles from The Hill Times and Ubyssey, linked in the bio.

💬 What could Bill C-34 mean for Canadians? Last week, the federal government introduced the proposed Safe Social Media Act. Here’s what experts are saying. #democracy #socialmedia

Canada’s election laws may soon get a much-needed security patch, in the form of Bill C-25. But @cjten.bsky.social told a House of Commons committee this week that a major upgrade to our democratic operating system will still be needed. tinyurl.com/952mdu2y

House of Commons Testimony: CSDI, AI, and the Procedure and House Affairs Committee - Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions

CSDI leadership recently gave testimony to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Committee.

tinyurl.com

Do Canadians still care about climate change? Our panel on April 29th at the Vancouver Public Library explored how affordability pressures, misinformation, and geopolitical tensions are reshaping climate politics in Canada. Read more about the panel: democracy.ubc.ca/news/do-we-s...

Do We Still Care About Climate Change?: Expert Panel - Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions

Economic anxiety and geopolitical tensions may be dampening Canadian support for climate action. A recent poll found that 61% think energy policies should prioritize economic growth over environmental...

democracy.ubc.ca

Do Canadians still care about climate change? Our panel on April 29th at the Vancouver Public Library explored how affordability pressures, misinformation, and geopolitical tensions are reshaping climate politics in Canada. Read more about the panel and watch the recording below! bit.ly/4dCf7dQ

Do We Still Care About Climate Change? | Culture @ VPL | April 29, 2026

On April 29, 2026, VPL hosted a panel conversation on climate change, in partnership with ‪@democracyxchange (as part of DXC+ Vancouver) and the @UBCDemocracy Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions (UBC). -- Description from event listing below -- Cost of living and jobs. Housing affordability. Trump. These are currently the top concerns for people living in Canada, according to recent polls. Climate change is an ever growing existential threat to our species, yet many polls show climate is not a top priority. Even our Prime Minister did not mention the word “climate” once in his famous Davos speech—and is now pitching Canada as an energy superpower. What does this mean for communities on the frontlines of climate change, who have been fighting against new energy projects? Or for communities who want the jobs and economic opportunities from these industries? And how can citizens and governments address these tensions? Come hear a conversation about where the climate conversation stands in Canada, from three people with different experiences in climate politics and policymaking: Eugene Kung, staff lawyer for West Coast Environmental Law. Andrea Reimer, former Vancouver City Councillor who spearheaded the Greenest City plan. Seth Klein, author of A Good War and founder of Climate Emergency Unit. Moderated by Chris Tenove, Assistant Director of UBC's Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions. – This event is presented in partnership with UBC's Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions and is part of DXC+ Vancouver by DemocracyXChange.

bit.ly

On May 12th, join visiting CSDI researcher Kristof Heidemann for his lecture on democratic advancement in Canada and Germany, and his analysis of the opportunities and hurdles that exist through constitutional and legal frameworks within the two nations. allard.ubc.ca/about-us/eve...

Democratic Innovations and the Frontiers of Constitutionalism in Canada and Germany

This lecture will explore the global decline in democratic vitality from comparative constitutional and campaign finance perspectives in Canada and Germany.

allard.ubc.ca

❗A recent investigation revealed that fake YouTube videos promoting Alberta separatism are reaching millions. 🧵Listen @cjten.bsky.social: toronto.citynews.ca/podcasts/the... 👉Read the Canadian Digital Media Research Network @meo-cdmrn.bsky.social investigation: www.cdmrn.ca/slopaganda-t...

This lecture will investigate the approaches that different Nordic countries have undertaken on their path to European integration and what lessons can be drawn from the Canadian perspective. Go to the link in our bio to register for the Zoom link or RSVP by noon on April 30th to get a free lunch.

❗Event Alert! 👉Join us for a conversation on “Do We Still Care About Climate Change?” with @Eugene Kung, @andreareimer.bsky.social , and @sethdklein.bsky.social. Event moderated by @cjten.bsky.social. 🔗More info here: vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/69c6d...

Do We Still Care About Climate Change?

Cost of living and jobs. Housing affordability. Trump. These are currently the top concerns for people living in Canada, according to recent polls. Climate change is an ever growing existential threa...

vpl.bibliocommons.com

There is less than a week to reserve your spot for this terrific discussion!

UBC Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions@ubcdemocracy.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Join us for From Crisis to Classroom: Using BC’s COVID-19 Response as Teaching Cases, a timely webinar bringing together leading voices in public health and policy—including BC's Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-crisi...

❗Join @profwhw.bsky.social when she delivers her keynote talk, 'We the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age' at DXC26! Dr. Wong will discuss some of the most salient data governance questions of our digital age. Follow the link for more info! 🔗 www.democracyxchange.org/sessions/we-...

We the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age | DemocracyXChange

Rethink the relationship between individuals, data, and power, and consider what it would mean to reclaim our humanity in the digital age.

democracyxchange.org

Join us for From Crisis to Classroom: Using BC’s COVID-19 Response as Teaching Cases, a timely webinar bringing together leading voices in public health and policy—including BC's Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-crisi...

From Crisis to Classroom: Using BC’s COVID-19 Response as Teaching Cases

Dive into BC’s COVID-19 story and learn how to turn real crisis moments into engaging classroom lessons.

eventbrite.ca

With online abuse increasing, particularly towards women and girls, what can be done to help personally, technologically, or legally? Join us on April 15th for this important discussion. Participants will leave informed, better equipped, and less alone! embassyofgermany.webex.com/webappng/sit...

Join us for Hans Kundnani's talk on ‘Coal, Steel and the EU as a White Peace Project’, the next instalment in the @ces.ubc.ca Speaker Series, co-sponsored by CSDI. Learn more and register here: ces.ubc.ca/events/event...

“What can and should we do in these troubled times?” Join us on March 24th at Green College for an interdisciplinary panel discussion, including CSDI Director Heidi Tworek. greencollege.ubc.ca/events/role-...

🤖 Cyborg propaganda? Tech companies are looking for new methods of circumventing digital platform rules and election laws in order to shape election discourse, and sometimes that means bringing humans into the loop. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/24/i...

Politicians are being sold AI-powered 'digital fighters'

A new app gets around bot bans by recruiting real people to post political messages generated by AI.

nationalobserver.com

“The idea that you would give your contact book information to a party without the consent of the people in your address book is deeply problematic." @cjten.bsky.social discusses AI-powered political campaign tools via @nationalobserver.com

Politicians are being sold AI-powered 'digital fighters'

A new app gets around bot bans by recruiting real people to post political messages generated by AI.

nationalobserver.com

How do vaccine and climate debates unfold online, and how can social scientists study them at scale? Join Johanna Klapproth, Mark Shakespear, @lauraknelson.bsky.social, and @cjten.bsky.social to discuss research strategies and how they can inform real-world policy. www.eventbrite.ca/e/computatio...

Computational Social Science in Action: Vaccine & Climate Policy Narratives

How do vaccine and climate policy debates unfold online—and how can social scientists study them rigorously at scale?

eventbrite.ca

⚠️NEW EVENT! Join @e4dca.bsky.social for an expert panel discussion on how the rapid spread of misinformation has undermined public trust and affected sectors and communities across Canada, and what can be done to combat it. 🧵More info and rego link here: evidencefordemocracy.ca/webinar-the-...

Webinar: The Misinformation Challenge – How to Rebuild Trust in a Post-Truth World - Evidence For Democracy

Event Background According to Canada’s Foreign Interference Commissioner, misinformation and disinformation pose the single greatest threat to Canadian democracy today, […]

evidencefordemocracy.ca

Join Thorsten Quandt, Johanna Klapproth, and Heidi Tworek as they discuss how digital platforms and politics shape polarized online discourse, using case studies of vaccine debates in Germany and Canada. This event is organized by the Bridge Resource Consortium. www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating...

Navigating online discourse in a polarized information ecosystem

Explore effective communication strategies for today's polarized online environment.

eventbrite.com

We’re thrilled that The Security of Self: A Human-Centric Approach to Cybersecurity is out, just in time for some holiday reading! The book’s contributors—including CSDI directors @cjten.bsky.social and @heiditworek.bsky.social—put people at the centre of understanding and advancing cybersecurity.

As G7 ministers gathered in Montreal last week, CSDI director @heiditworek.bsky.social spoke to The Canadian Press about the areas of agreement and tension on AI, digital regulation, and governance. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/science/mont...

Canada turns to EU for agreements on AI as Montreal hosts G7 digital, tech ministers

OTTAWA - Canada's artificial intelligence minister kicked off two days of meetings among G7 ministers Monday touting new digital agreements with Europe — a move that comes at a time

thecanadianpressnews.ca

The EU should promote tech innovation through regulatory ambition, not surrender, argues Milan Wiertz. Check out the latest article by Wiertz, a policy analyst and CSDI researcher, on @techpolicypress.bsky.social www.techpolicy.press/europes-digi...

Europe’s Digital Sovereignty Hinges on Smarter Regulation for Data Access | TechPolicy.Press

A European data commons could give AI start-ups legal certainty, fair data access, and a real chance to compete with Big Tech, writes Milan Wiertz.

techpolicy.press

Recent CSDI post-doctoral fellow Marco Zenone found that millions of dollars are spent on online Ozempic pay-per-click ads, with 11% of the ad keywords promoting weight loss—an ‘off-label’ and unapproved use of the drug. Could this be a drug advertising loophole? jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

GLP-1RAs and Pay-Per-Click Direct-to-Consumer Advertising

This cross-sectional study evaluates the use of direct-to-consumer advertising for a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA).

jamanetwork.com

ICYMI: Check out this new policy brief @ubcdemocracy.bsky.social on how universities can address online harassment of #researchers and #faculty. The brief reviews best practices and offers recommendations on how institutions can provide support. #HigherEd 📝 Read here: bridgerc.ca/online-haras...

Congratulations to the Committee on this major report. Lots of good ideas in here to strengthen democracy in BC. Thanks to chairs @j-blatherwick-mla.bsky.social and @mla-wardstamer.bsky.social, and all the other committee members and staff. I hope people check it out! lims.leg.bc.ca/pcms/file/19...

Rob Botterell@robbotterell.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Here's the clip of our committee introducing the report on Electoral Reform to the legislature. Includes celebratory words from BC NDP MLA Blatherwick, BC Conservative MLA Stamer, and Yours Truly! youtu.be/BfkogIvrxt8?... #bcpoli #electoralreform

"Canada cannot prepare for future public health emergencies without protecting the safety of researchers and their freedom to pursue their lines of inquiry without fear." Further insight on online harassment and our latest policy brief in @ca.theconversation.com theconversation.com/online-haras...

Online harassment is silencing Canada’s health experts — institutions need to do more to protect them

If Canada wants to get ahead of the next health crisis, it needs to shield its scientists and researchers from online abuse.

theconversation.com